ANIMAL-WELFARE AND THE INTENSIVE PRODUCTION OF BOVINE MEAT

After a brief review of the legal framework of animal protection appli cable to cattle - including Council of Europe and European Union legis lation, as well as French law - the main features of husbandry systems used in the intensive husbandry of veal calves and young cattle are a nalysed. For veal calves, the standards proposed at the European level do not take into account major differences in the age, weight and qua lity of veal produced by different Member States. In the case of red m eat, the production of baby beef in intensive units leads to some beha vioural anomalies, which could be remedied within economic restriction s compatible with the interests of producers and consumers.